DFL's Football Commission favours increasing number of substitutes – Commitment to goal-line technology

DFL's Football Commission favours increasing number of substitutes – Commitment to goal-line technology

7 November 2018 – At its latest meeting, the members of DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga’s “Football Commission“ advocated increasing the number of substitutes for Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 matches from the upcoming 2019–20 season. At the request of the clubs and following intensive discussion within the “Football Commission“, two additional players, i.e. nine in total per team, can be on the substitutes’ bench for each match – subject to a corresponding resolution by the DFL Board. In total, the number of people allowed on the substitutes’ bench is therefore set to increase from 15 to 17. This does not affect the number of three substitutions per team during a match.

Furthermore, the “Football Commission“ has unanimously declared its support for keeping goal-line technology in the Bundesliga. Since it was launched in 2015–16, the tool has helped to clear up the most important question in football: goal or no goal? There were 36 decisions based on goal-line technology in total in the first three seasons it was used. The use of this technology guarantees answers leaving no room for doubt. The “Football Commission“ also still advocates the use of the video assistant in the Bundesliga. Members of the Commission spoke in favour of selective training for specialised video assistants in the interests of uniform application.

Moreover, the “Football Commission“ also discussed the overall calendar for the 2019–20 season at its meeting on 5 November. The DFL Board will likewise address this subject at its next meeting.